put together: simple tribal mixture

how fabulous does tory burch look while globe-trotting on her southeast asian vacation?  while tribal prints are fairly easy to find these days...i am loving the mixture of patterns & colors...why wear boring khaki shorts & a tee...when you can be fashion forward & chic...

scanned by moi
harper's bazaar june/july issue

put together: a simple dress...

yes...you can run around town...meeting up with friends...getting the errands checked off your to-do list...and look fabulous while doing so...spotted this lovely in the may issue of harper's bazaar...lovely dress by stella mccartney...bag by proenza schouler...

most exciting?  one piece...no need to wonder what to pair with it...just add some lovely sandals...wedges...or flats...and you are set to go...perfectly put together...

stella mccartney dress
scanned by moi

what do your clothes say about you?

have you ever given it any thought?  clothes speak volumes...whether we mean to or not...what we wear...displays a perception of a person...the question would then be...what do your clothes say about you?

clothing is one of the easiest ways to bring out a personality...a message...and even a sense of being approachable...or not...depending on your dress...and in some instances...for example...those who do public speaking...need to think about the colors they are wearing...because certain colors demand attention, authority...depending on your profession...your talk...what you are trying to convey...much of it will start with your dress...and the colors...

so...how about the basics...when you are standing in front of your closet...thinking...i need to do some cleaning...some purging...dare i say it...what goes through your mind as you look at each item...deciding their fate...

with my clients...we talk a lot about their style words...the words that best describe you they are...or possibly who they are trying to get to...and are using their clothes to get them started...it is a way to stay on focus...of where you are...or where you want to be...

so think about your daily life...your profession...your personality...and how you want to be portrayed...for example...let's say that you are in a profession where you don't want to stand out as feminine...and yet you look in your closet...and you have ruffled blouse after ruffled blouse...hanging...this look screams feminine...nothing wrong with that...if that is the image you want...and just as a ruffled blouse can bring out someone's feminine side...an  architecturally designed dress can say, “i’m edgy and modern...” if clothes in your closet represent an outdated image of you, they should go...period...

i dealt with this on my own...when after many many years of working in corporate america...and wearing suits every day of the week...i found myself...working from home...working at establishing my own business...and i knew that suits were no longer going to be a part of my attire...so i went through the exercise of removing them from my wardrobe...while i kept a few of my favorites...because honestly...there will be an occasion or two that will still require me to wear a suit...i knew in my heart of hearts...that i didn't need the number that hung in my closet...

when you are going through these pieces...think about this...when you try an item on...does it look like it’s just right for you? some of your clothes may be better suited for your sister...cousin, or your best friend... recognize the distinction between “just right” and “just okay” and pass those items along...

and lastly...let go of the era that you (for whatever reason) thought you looked your best...yes...you may have gotten lots of compliments when you wore that dress in 1980...but that doesn't mean that same dress today...is giving you your best look...let go of that era...and work on the best you that you can be today...

let your clothes say wonderful things about you!

 

 

photo source

happy memorial day weekend!

may your weekend be fun...fabulous...and fashionable...

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men's corner: sporting all white...

with summer just around the corner...i thought i would throw in a great summer look for the men out there...the summer season is a perfect time to don a complete white outfit...a very casual look...my only suggestion to the pic below...would be to cut the outfit in half with a belt...a nice black or brown would be fabulous...this is a bit too much blending...if you know what i mean...

then to go from casual to a bit more dressed up...add in a blazer...i'm thinking a nice navy blue would be lovely...and voila!

photo source

banana republic trina turk collection...

some collaborations seem fabulous...others...leave me less then impressed...the newest of them is banana republic & trina turk...coming to stores june 7th...

"Created exclusively by Banana Republic in collaboration with designer Trina Turk. 

Inspired by Palm Springs, pop prints and mid-century design."

(taken from trina turk website)

being that i will walk into a trina turk boutique...just for the exuberance of color...i have to say...i'm looking forward to this one...

will you be checking it out?

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the patterned pant...

if you haven't already noticed...there are a lot of fun patterns out in the stores...and among these...are the patterned pant...whether it be floral...animal print...polka dots...the look is fun fun fun...

trying to pull it off?  the key is to keep everything else in your outfit neutral...no need to have anything competing with those wild & crazy prints...

is this a spring trend you are planning to incorporate?  if so...please do share...

cafe capri in silk foulard
jcrew.com

saying good-bye to the "no" pieces...

i don't think i have ever stepped foot into a closet...where there weren't one...if not several pieces of clothing that hung...literally never worn...with the owner knowing full well that they weren't going to wear them...but yet...there they hung...in the closet...waiting for??  not quite sure...

now...before i get into this...let me just say...i have been guilty of this as well...but i have gotten really good at...well...basically...saying good-bye to the "no" pieces in my closet...

there is a difference between having things in your closet that you don't wear...not because you don't like them...but possibly because you just can't figure out how to wear it...in this case...it needs to become a priority...whether done by yourself...with a friend...or a wardrobe stylist...get that piece of clothing in an outfit or two...and into rotation of fabulous outfits that you wear...

but then...there are are those pieces...you know the ones...perhaps you try these items on...and then hang them back up...what is the reason?  it is either that you don't like the way it fits you...how it makes you feel...or you just plain don't like it...nothing wrong with that...but why keep it hanging in your closet...only to go through this lovely exercise...over and over...

perhaps you skip right over these items like something that has been in the freezer so long...you no longer want to eat it...

you've just said no...too many times...

it's time...just let these pieces go...say good-bye...and make room for the pieces you will love to wear...over and over again...

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friday inspiration: be calm...

and...enjoy your weekend...

new additions to the fabulous finds consignment boutique...

just a heads up...even though the fabulous finds consignment boutique is bursting at the seams...with currently about 795 items...i am looking at adding about 150 items over this weekend...received several shipments from clients out of state...and some client closets here in the bay area...spring cleaning is definitely on the minds of many...

so while there is plenty now to shop for...be looking for lots of new items such as...shoes, some handbags...adorable spring skirts & tops...and so much more...

spring/summer 2012 trend: color blocking...

while color blocking has been going strong for a few seasons now...it shows no signs of slowing down...so how do you color block?  the easiest way...is to find a piece that has done the color blocking for you...as in the example below...

featherweight cotton cardigan
j crew.com

easy peasy...right?  again...as with any trend...you can do small doses or go all out...because color blocking is so "in" right now...if you are out and about...you can pretty much spot it in scarves...shoes...handbags...as always...you choose how much or how little to incorporate into your wardrobe...

if you want to try a full on color blocking outfit...the possible combination are endless...what two or three colors do you love?  you can work with colors that are close...like red & pink...or blue & green...or if you are more adventurous...go for a few colors that clash...and you'll fit right in...

now of course...as with anything...you need to be careful...as you don't want to look like a clown...right?  look at things around you...whether you see two beautiful colors together in a vase full of flowers...or in a picture...take inspiration from all around you...and see what winning combinations you can come up with...

step into spring 2012...

don't you just love having a multitude of choices?  when it comes to this season's trends...most of them have been translated into the choices of footwear...this is great...especially for those a bit timid about going all out on a trend...

so what trends am i talking about?  i've posted a bit about color this spring/summer season...whether it is brights...neon...they can all be found in shoes...from flats to heels...pick your color...your heel height...and you are set to go!

steve madden 'xcess' sandal
nordstrom.com

prints are everywhere this season...from florals to butterflies...animal print to tribal...too much for an outfit?  pick a shoe...again...you choose the style...and you are wearing the latest trend...

texture...whether it be a pleated design or lace...there are shoes that are representing this trend as well...

so go for it!  if there is a trend you are wanting to try...an easy way to incorporate it into your wardrobe...is through your shoes...and then...step into spring with style...

you had me at hello: simply gold...

proof that sometimes...simple is oh so much better...as in these lovely golden heels...you had me at hello...in a simple kind of way...doesn't every girl need a golden pair?

gucci
scanned by moi

happy mother's day...

wishing all you lovely mom's...a fabulous mother's day weekend!

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men's corner: the boat shoe...revamped...

back in april 2010...i wrote about this lovely shoe that i am not to keen on...haven't really figured out why...they just don't appeal to me...and at that time...after a lengthy time of finally persuading my friend of the other alternatives for footwear...he comes across an article in  gq magazine...all about the lovely boat shoe...making a comeback...here is the post...for reference...

and no...i am not writing a new post to tell you of my new found love for these shoes...although i do have to say...i am loving the creativity in the latest styles...but really...it is the color...and the prints i'm loving...not the shoe...

3 eye boat shoe 
sperry top-sider by band of outsiders

3 eye boat shoe
sperry top-sider by band of outsiders

3 eye boat shoe 
sperry top-sider by band of outsiders

i keep thinking one day...something will make me change my mind...but alas...it has not happened...is this a winning shoe for you?  if you are a top-sider wearer...do you stick to the solid neutrals?  would you venture out to a bright color...perhaps bright orange?  or would you be really adventurous...and choose something like the above pics?

a dab will do ya...

while we have been seeing a lot of neon on the runways...some with head to toe looks...and in the stores...most sway from wanting to announce their arrival by a flashing neon light...which in fact is your outfit...for those that can...i say...go for it...

while the neon color craze...and for that matter...the bright colors...are a cheerful addition to any wardrobe...if you love the idea...but think...too much color...

a dab will do ya!

one great way of incorporating a bright or neon color...especially if you are taking baby steps into this hot trend...start with a simple skinny belt...pick your favorite neon or bright color...keeping the rest of your colors in neutral...that little bit of leather...will be enough to make a HUGE statement...

skinny leather belt
j crew

 how about a nice lime clutch purse?  small enough...but with a pow to your outfit...

and if that is still too dramatic...but you are determined to bring in that neon or bright color...try looking for a scarf that has most of your colors that you gravitate to...but mixed in...is that bright color...just enough to make an appearance...

printed summer scarf
j crew

so where do you fall in this category?  full on neon?  or a dab will do ya?

spring/summer 2012 trend: peplum

while i had posted about the peplum back in december...read about it here for more detail...it is still a very strong trend for this spring/summer season...

lela rose peplum waist dress
nordstrom

while many women tend to shy away from any "bulk" around the hip area...this beautiful trend can give you a fabulous hourglass figure...so work it!  if that is your fear...look for a fitted bodice and sleek pencil skirt underneath...with a slight peplum detail...voila!

if a dress is not your fancy...look for a fun jacket or blouse with a peplum detail...just be sure to pair it with a pencil skirt..or anything with little volume...

flirty and fun...

you had me at hello: ring around the gold...

a beautiful ring...around your neck...this simply has to be...

and had me at hello...from the first glance...

spotted in marie claire march issue...

dior 
scanned by moi

inspiration: the best color...

photo credit

may your weekend be fabulous...

coco & color...

what could be better then coco chanel quotes...combined with color...the color of chanel polish...saw this video on the new york times website...featuring the lovely saskia de brauw...i'm loving the outfits as well...no?

click here to see the fabulous "magic fingers" video...enjoy!

photo credit

men's corner: bring on the kilties...

when i saw this pic in an article this morning...i knew exactly who to send it to...and i knew exactly what would happen...when i would get an email response...

photo credit:
jonathan grassi for the new york times

featured in the new york times..."from fairway to runway" look's like men's colorful kilties return...and with a vengeance...one of my men clients loves the details...doesn't want to wear what everyone else is wearing...and usually wants a little bit of the "not so ordinary"...for me...he is so so fun to shop for...

i love these quirky details...like the kilties...i say it over and over...but when it comes to men's fashion...it really is about the tiny details...many don't like this look...i have heard some say "something my dad would wear"...but i think they come with so much personality...would you dare?

and as i had guessed...the return email was simple:  "yes...find me a pair!"

discarded to divine event - part 2 - the live auction...

in continuation of yesterday's post...where i shared about this wonderful fundraiser event that i attended last week..."discarded to divine" supporting st vincent de paul society...the evening was split into two parts...the silent auction...which of course is fun to walk around and see what is up for bids in a silent auction environment...

but it all changes in a live auction setting...what is it about bidding on something...i think you get to a point that if you are outbid...you then are more determined then ever to have that one item...most of the bidding wars were usually between two parties...which is why i make the point of the adrenaline rush that happens...

but enough of that...let's get to the goods...after all...that is what this nite was all about...and bidding wars is a good thing...when the end result is going towards a charity...for the live auction...there were 12 pieces represented...i only took pics of my favorites...it still amazes me that these were all made from donated unusable clothing...

and no...i didn't bid...as these were not even close to my size...haha...but it doesn't mean i wasn't wishing they were...

as soon as they announced that this first dress coming out was a mix of patterns...i already knew...deep in my heart that i was most likely going to love it...and it didn't disappoint...

the next show stopper was this lovely black cocktail dress with pink coat...mad men inspired...

now i know that i need a coat like this...so i am on a mad search...gotta love that the model came out holding a martini glass...working the role...for sure!

anything that shimmers...gets my attention...although this dress would be a hard one to wear for a lot of women...i did think it was an adorable dress...

back view

one can never have enough jackets...at least that is my philosophy...this one?  so unique and different...had a equestrian vibe...

this next dress was interesting with its jacket...although when she took it off...the dress itself was quite the show stopper as well...

back view

this next one was BEYOND amazing...that beautiful long coat was all suede...loved the combination with the long dress...

 back view of the coat...exquisite work...

and a black & white combination...always classy...

back view

it was such a fun event...almost like a mini project runway challenge...and the end results were all pretty creative...